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Which Resort is best for kids 6 & 2
- Thread starter Beth17
- Start date
Polynesian. Best view of the EWP and fireworks. Great pools and slide. Wonderful splash pad. Amazing dining options. Best location for transportation.[/QUOTE
Even in December when swimming might not be an option?
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Actually, I switch my vote to the Grand Floridian for December. Either one...but the GF lobby gets the win that time of year.
Even the outer building have Christmas trees and Christmas music playing in them.
You may or may not get to swim.. we were there the last week of November- December 3rd in 2016.. my son did swim and go in the splash area and on the slide.. I did not swim, but did go in the hot tub.
Even the outer building have Christmas trees and Christmas music playing in them.
You may or may not get to swim.. we were there the last week of November- December 3rd in 2016.. my son did swim and go in the splash area and on the slide.. I did not swim, but did go in the hot tub.
wagner1225
Member
AOA , its designed just for kids, google and look at pictures, we have stayed just about everywhere, and AOA twice as adults, really enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces , we did stay in the Suites, it also has pretty decent foodcourt and largest pool on Disney Property, whatever you do reserve early December fills fast....
MagicalMommy
Active Member
I have a 3 and 7 year old, and our collective favorite has been Animal Kingdom Lodge during the Christmas season. We also really like Wilderness Lodge, especially during the holidays. The kids, of course, loved Art of Animation - we stayed in a Cars suite. Outside of those favorites and in the moderate range, Port Orleans French Quarter has a great splash pad for kids if the weather is warm enough. Let me know if you have any kid-specific questions I can answer!
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The question that wasn't asked was budget and pool usage? That's honesty the only measureable difference beyond direct park transportation/access...
And it's December...so the weather isn't assured.
What do you want to spend?
And it's December...so the weather isn't assured.
What do you want to spend?
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
So many opinions already... Let's start with the basics. What's your budget and how long?
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m assuming that the OP already knows her budget and is open to any resort.. with the determining factor being “best for kids”.
I don’t think we need to know her budget to be able to provide recommendations.
Not to be obtuse...but when's the last time you paid a hotel bill in wdw?
That's not a minor expense. It doesn't hurt to ask.
You suggested the Polynesian...which in December is around $630+ tax for a standard at rack.
That's a lot of scratch for a 1971 motel.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
That 1972 motel my favorite resort.lol Like I said, I could be wrong.. but I’d think if the OP has internet access to get on wdwmagic, then she’s most likely been on Disney’s website to see their pricing.
I make determinations for the resort I’m staying at based on several factors.. not just price.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
So that's a "no" on paying the bill, huh?
Lol...I think the first question is budget. It May not be an issue...but until they start charging $400 for pop century (soon)...it's the best place to start.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I have 3 trip reports on here in the past 2 years. 7 nights in a tpv at Poly, followed by 2 nights at POFQ because Poly was sold out and couldn’t extend on last day.. 6 nights in lagoon view at GF, would have been 9 if had availability, but I had to do the last 3 at WL, in a room with a bunk bed that I didn’t need.. but I wanted the resort out of the few options available, so paid for the stupid bunk bed.
And most recently.. a booked 5 days before departure, and literal last-minute-upon-arrival switch from POR to All Star Sports preferred room- because it was a less than 2 full nights, 1 Park day stay, the location of the room was more important than the amenities.
Different needs, different choices..I wish I would have booked early enough to get exactly what I wanted each time.. although to be honest, I’m glad that we were “forced” to stay at WL, it was beautiful.
I don’t even regret the POFQ switch, it wasn’t a park day so we just relaxed and took the boat to Disney Springs.
And I don’t regret the Sports quick stay.
I also don’t regret the money spent on GF and Poly.
I’ve asked for a lot of recommendations on this site, and I make decisions based on many factors besides price..not saying price doesn’t have anything to do with it, it does..but I know my budget before I ask..I could seriously be comparing a $130 room against a $600 room... I could wrongly be assuming that other people do as well.
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Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
You've been around...
But you hit my trigger when you said "GF lagoon view"
Generally speaking...when you quote the view you would never consider that others have a budget. So that concept is still valid here.
@Beth17, welcome to WDWMagic!
Do you have any limitations, budget wise? Do you plan on spending the entire day at the parks or will you need to take a break, especially with your 2 year old?
If theming will be important for your two children, then Art of Animation is an excellent choice. The rooms are family type suites, themed around Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo. The rooms having a living room area with pull out sofas, a small kitchenette with larger fridge, coffee maker and microwave, a dining table that converts to a Murphy bed, separate bedroom for mom & dad and two bathrooms. The resort also has standard rooms, themed around Little Mermaid. But those go fast, as the inventory is smaller. Food court at AoA is good also.
If theming isn't that important - and it fits within your budget - I'd suggest a moderate - either Port Orleans resort will be a good choice. I would avoid both Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach, due to the construction. We've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside many times. Lovely resort. Lots of things to do. And an added advantage is the boat to Disney Springs.
If budget for your resort is no option, then I'd suggest Animal Kingdom Lodge. Your 9 year old will enjoy seeing animals from her balcony. Restaurants are very good, the lobby is stunning. And lots of things to do, animal wise, at the resort. While it's the furthest away from the parks, other than Animal Kingdom, it isn't that long a bus ride to the other parks.
If proximity to Magic Kingdom is important, than I recommend Wilderness Lodge. The resort is stunning at Christmas time, with a big tree in the lobby. And a fireplace. Lots for the kids to do - boat, bike ride, arcade. Great restaurants, too. Whispering Canyons is a hoot. You can take either the boat or bus to Magic Kingdom. Bus to all the other Disney parks and Disney Springs. WL now has a spa, if you want to engage in some spoil mom time.
If you want to see what all the suggested resorts look like, including the rooms, visit the Allears.net channel on YouTube. The ladies have video of just about every resort, room and restaurant on property.
Good luck!
Do you have any limitations, budget wise? Do you plan on spending the entire day at the parks or will you need to take a break, especially with your 2 year old?
If theming will be important for your two children, then Art of Animation is an excellent choice. The rooms are family type suites, themed around Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo. The rooms having a living room area with pull out sofas, a small kitchenette with larger fridge, coffee maker and microwave, a dining table that converts to a Murphy bed, separate bedroom for mom & dad and two bathrooms. The resort also has standard rooms, themed around Little Mermaid. But those go fast, as the inventory is smaller. Food court at AoA is good also.
If theming isn't that important - and it fits within your budget - I'd suggest a moderate - either Port Orleans resort will be a good choice. I would avoid both Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach, due to the construction. We've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside many times. Lovely resort. Lots of things to do. And an added advantage is the boat to Disney Springs.
If budget for your resort is no option, then I'd suggest Animal Kingdom Lodge. Your 9 year old will enjoy seeing animals from her balcony. Restaurants are very good, the lobby is stunning. And lots of things to do, animal wise, at the resort. While it's the furthest away from the parks, other than Animal Kingdom, it isn't that long a bus ride to the other parks.
If proximity to Magic Kingdom is important, than I recommend Wilderness Lodge. The resort is stunning at Christmas time, with a big tree in the lobby. And a fireplace. Lots for the kids to do - boat, bike ride, arcade. Great restaurants, too. Whispering Canyons is a hoot. You can take either the boat or bus to Magic Kingdom. Bus to all the other Disney parks and Disney Springs. WL now has a spa, if you want to engage in some spoil mom time.
If you want to see what all the suggested resorts look like, including the rooms, visit the Allears.net channel on YouTube. The ladies have video of just about every resort, room and restaurant on property.
Good luck!
21stamps
Well-Known Member
That ‘lagoon view’ decision was actually solely based on price. I’ve never stayed at a monorail resort and not had a theme park view.. I knew that’s what I wanted when it was time for my child’s first trip, so that’s what I booked at Poly. I booked the same with GF for the next stay, the trip was starting to get out of hand. Kiddo chose WDW over DCL and I lost our entire deposit when I cancelled.. that, combined with only 5 out of 9 nights at a discounted room rate, and I decided to downgrade a few weeks before departure. I AGONIZED over that decision.. waking up to a view of the castle is something that we both love. Luckily, extremely luckily, we still had a perfect view of MK! I’ll forever be grateful for that. But yeah, I made that decision based on my budget.
I highly recommend either Poly or GF for that time of year.. WL is gorgeous, only downside is the room felt small with 2, Not sure how comfortable it would be with 4, but the location and ambiance may be worth it.
If those are out of the question, then I’d go for POFQ. Pretty grounds, perfect sized resort.
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BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
So we're going to suggest one of the most expensive rooms in the most expensive of resorts to start? I guess my bar was just set a little more... Reasonably. And honestly, I don't think kids are going to enjoy GF nearly as much as say, a half dozen other resorts.
- AoA (theming and huge pool)
- Pops (theming in general)
- POR and POFQ (specialty rooms)
- AKL (hello, animals everywhere)
- AoA (theming and huge pool)
- Pops (theming in general)
- POR and POFQ (specialty rooms)
- AKL (hello, animals everywhere)
Hey Dennis!
New Member
I have a 10 and 13 year old and we usually stay at All Star Movies. It’s not luxurious like the Grand Floridian or Polynesian, but the food court options at All Star Movies allows us to each eat something different, because my kids can eat chicken nuggets every day, lol. Any Disney hotel will be magical and with the Magical Express service and Disney transportation to the parks, you will have a great time!
They can get a bunk bed room. I think the 9 year old would love sleeping in a bunk bed.
I forgot about the themed rooms at POR - the OP's oldest would love the Royal Guest rooms.